Pallor

Pallor

ICD-10	R23.1
ICD-9	782.61

Pallor is a reduced amount of oxyhemoglobin in skin or mucous membrane, a pale color which can be caused by illness, emotional shock or stress, stimulant use, lack of exposure to sunlight, anemia or genetics. It is more evident on the face and palms. It can develop suddenly or gradually, depending on the cause.

Pallor is not usually clinically significant unless it is accompanied by a general pallor (pale lips, tongue, palms, mouth and other regions with mucous membranes). It is distinguished from similar symptoms such as hypopigmentation (loss of skin pigment).

Pale skin is also a very light skin tone most commonly associated with people of European descent, particularly people of Celtic and Scandinavian descent. In addition, people who avoid sun exposure and thus avoid sun tanning also tend to have paler complexions in comparison to their peers.

Possible causes

• migraine attack or headache
• natural genetics
• excess estradiol and/or estrone
• vitamin D deficiency
• lack of sun tanning
• weight gain
• osteoporosis
• emotional response, due to fear, embarrassment, grief
• anemia, due to blood loss, poor nutrition, or underlying disease such as sickle cell anemia
• shock, a medical emergency caused by illness or injury
• frostbite
• cancer
• hypoglycemia
• leukemia
• albinism
• panic attack
• heart disease
• hypothyroidism
• hypopituitarism
• scurvy
• shock (medical)
• tuberculosis
• sleep deprivation
• depression
• pheochromocytoma
• squeamishness
• visceral larval migrans
• High doses or chronic use of amphetamines
• Reaction to ethanol and/or other drugs such as cannabis
• Lead poisoning

References

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